Civil War hardtack, ca. 1864
Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Description
Hardtack – a hard and dry cracker – was a staple food item for soldiers. Soldiers sometimes put the hardtack in coffee to soften it and to remove possible insects. This piece has weevil carcasses inside.
Granville Sparrow of Portland, who enlisted as a sergeant in Co. A of the 17th Maine Infantry and who mustered out in 1865 as a captain, saved this piece of hardtack among his Civil War memorabilia.
View additional information about this item on the Maine Memory Network.
